Automatic device, information providing device, robot device, and transaction method

ABSTRACT

The robotic apparatus is designed to act in a wider variety of manners, which will motivate the user of the robotic apparatus to purchase more products to the robotic apparatus. More specifically, a robotic apparatus ( 1 ) which acts autonomously recognizes a bar code (BC) or the like appended to a canned juice ( 100   a ) and acts in a predetermined manner. This is only enabled under a predetermined contract made between a product manufacturer and robotic apparatus manufacturer. The contract coverage is that the product manufacturer shall append the bar code (BC) to a specific product while the robotic apparatus manufacturer shall provide a robotic apparatus ( 1 ) which can act in a predetermined manner when having recognized the bar code (BC).

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic apparatus whichacts automatically, method for generating an action of the automaticapparatus, information serving apparatus and method for storinginformation and serving a variety of information, robotic apparatuswhich acts autonomously, method for generating an action of the roboticapparatus, and a commercial transaction system and method in which therobotic apparatus is utilized.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Recently, there have been proposed robotic apparatuses eachcapable of autonomously deciding its own behavior correspondingly to itssurrounding environment and internal state. Such robots include forexample a type which can have a pseudo-emotion and-instinct (will bereferred to as “emotion” and “instinct” hereunder) which are changedaccording to its environment and internal state, and behavecorrespondingly to such changes in emotion and instinct, that is, canreflect changes of its emotion and instinct in its action.

[0003] The action of the robotic apparatus will add to the fun of a userwhich enjoys playing with the robotic apparatus. Therefore, it has beenmore demanded by the users that the robotic apparatus can provide awider variety of actions.

[0004] On the other hand, if the users' demands for such a wide varietyof actions of the robotic apparatuses can be linked to another aspect,for example, to an enhanced motivation to purchase a certain merchandiseor product which can be used with the robotic apparatus, the industriesof the art will rise to prosperity. For example, if the roboticapparatus can be designed to act in response to a certain object(product), the latter will add to the user's enjoyment in playing withhis or her robotic apparatus since the robotic apparatus can act in acorrespondingly increased number of manners, and purchase by the usersof such specific product will result in an increased sale by amanufacturer from which the specific product is available.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Accordingly, the present invention has an object to overcome theabove-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art by providing an automaticapparatus which can automatically act in various manners and motivatethe user of the automatic apparatus to purchase more products to thelatter, a method for generating an action of the automatic apparatus, aninformation serving apparatus and method, a robotic apparatus, a methodfor generating an action of the robotic apparatus, and a commercialtransaction system and method.

[0006] The above object can be attained by providing an automaticapparatus including: an attribute storage unit to store information onthe attribute of a product; a product-related information reader toread, from a product, at least one of at least two pieces of informationstored on the product and which concern the attribute of the latter; aninformation comparator to make a comparison between the informationstored in the attribute storage unit and information read from theproduct-related information reader; the automatic apparatus beingarranged to act in a predetermined manner when there is found acoincidence between the information as the result of comparison made inthe information comparator.

[0007] In the automatic apparatus thus constructed, the product-relatedinformation reader reads, from a product, at least one of at least thetwo pieces of information stored on the product and which concern theattribute of the latter, and the information comparator makes acomparison between the information stored in the attribute storage unitand information read from the product-related information reader. Whenthere is found a coincidence between the information as the result ofcomparison made by the information comparator, the automatic apparatusacts in the predetermined manner.

[0008] Thus, the automatic apparatus makes a predetermined action, as arobotic apparatus, based on the information stored on the product andconcerning the attribute of the latter.

[0009] Also, the above object can be attained by providing a method forgenerating an action of an automatic apparatus, the method includingsteps of: reading, from a product, at least one of two pieces ofinformation stored on the product and which concern the attribute of thelatter; making a comparison between information pre-stored in anattribute storage unit and information read in the product-relatedinformation reading step; and allowing the automatic apparatus to act ina predetermined manner when there is found a coincidence between theinformation as the result of comparison made in the informationcomparing step.

[0010] By the method for generating an action of the automaticapparatus, the automatic apparatus such as a robotic apparatus isallowed to act in the predetermined manner based on the informationstored on the product and which concerns the attribute of the latter.

[0011] Also, the above object can be attained by providing aninformation server including a sender to send information on theattribute of a product, cumulatively stored in an attribute storage unitincluded in an automatic apparatus, to a communication unit alsoincluded in the automatic apparatus; the automatic apparatus including:the attribute storage unit to store information on the attribute of aproduct; a product-related information reader to read, from a product,at least one of at least two pieces of information stored on the productand which concern the attribute of the latter; an information comparatorto make a comparison between information stored in the attribute storageunit and information read from the product-related information reader;and the communication unit to store information into the attributestorage unit.

[0012] In the information server, the product attribute informationsender sends information on the product attribute to the communicationunit in the automatic apparatus, and in the automatic apparatus, thecommunication unit receives the attribute information sent from thesender in the information server and stores it into the attributestorage unit.

[0013] Also, the above object can be attained by providing aninformation serving method in which information on the attribute of aproduct is sent to a communication unit included in an automaticapparatus; the automatic apparatus including: an attribute storage unitto store information on the attribute of a product; a product-relatedinformation reader to read, from a product, at least one of at least twopieces of information stored on the product and which concern theattribute of the latter; an information comparator to make a comparisonbetween information stored in the attribute storage unit and informationread from the product-related information reader; and the communicationunit to store information into the attribute storage unit.

[0014] By the above method, information on the attribute of a product issent to the communication unit in the automatic apparatus and thus thecommunication unit in the automatic apparatus in the automatic apparatusreceives the sent attribute information and stores it into the attributestorage unit.

[0015] Also, the above object can be attained by providing aninformation server which reads attribute information sent from acommunication unit included in an automatic apparatus and sends, to thecommunication unit, action-generation information intended to generate apredetermined action of the automatic apparatus when the read attributeinformation coincides with predetermined information; the automaticapparatus including: a product-related information reader to read, froma product, at least one of two pieces of information stored on theproduct and which concern the attribute of the latter; a controller togenerate an action; and the communication unit to supply the controllerwith information intended to generate an action of the automaticapparatus, acquire the attribute information read by the product-relatedinformation reader and send the acquired attribute information.

[0016] In the information server thus constructed, the attributeinformation sent from the communication unit in the automatic apparatusis read, and when the read attribute information coincides with thepredetermined information, the action-generation information intended togenerate the predetermined action is sent to the communication unit ofthe automatic apparatus. Then, the automatic apparatus generates anaction by means of the controller on the basis of the action-generationinformation.

[0017] Also, the above object can be attained by providing aninformation serving method including steps of: reading attributeinformation sent from a communication unit included in an automaticapparatus; and sending, to the communication unit, action-generationinformation intended to generate a predetermined action of the automaticapparatus when the read attribute information coincides withpredetermined information; the automatic apparatus including: aproduct-related information reader to read, from a product, at least oneof two pieces of information stored on the product and which concern theattribute of the latter; a controller to generate an action; and thecommunication unit to supply the controller with information intended togenerate an action of the automatic apparatus, acquire the attributeinformation read by the product-related information reader and send theacquired attribute information.

[0018] By the above information serving method, the attributeinformation sent from the communication unit in the automatic apparatusis read, and when the read attribute information coincides with thepredetermined information, the action-generation information intended togenerate the predetermined action is sent to the communication unit inthe automatic apparatus. Then, in the-automatic apparatus, an action isgenerated by the controller on the basis of the action-generationinformation.

[0019] Also, the above object can be attained by providing a roboticapparatus of an autonomous type which acts autonomously based on anexternal factor and/or an internal factor, the apparatus including: amemory having stored therein information on a contract made between amanufacturer or distributor of the robotic apparatus and a third party;the robotic apparatus reading information stored on a product and whichconcerns at least a supply source of the product; and the roboticapparatus generating a predetermined action or reaction when the supplysource is found from the contract-related information to have made apredetermined contract with the manufacturer or distributor.

[0020] The above robotic apparatus will generate the predeterminedaction or reaction when the supply source of the product is ascertainedbased on the contract-related information stored in the memory to havemade the predetermined contract with the robotic apparatus manufactureror distributor.

[0021] Also, the above object can be attained by providing a method forgenerating an action of an autonomous type robotic apparatus which actsautonomously based on an external factor and/or internal factor, inwhich: the robotic apparatus has a memory having stored thereininformation on a contract made between a manufacturer or distributor ofthe robotic apparatus and a third party; the method comprising steps of:reading information stored on a product and which concerns at least asupply source of the product; and generating a predetermined action orreaction when the supply source is found from the contract-relatedinformation stored in the memory to have made a predetermined contractwith the manufacturer or distributor.

[0022] By the robotic apparatus action-generation method, the roboticapparatus acts or reacts in a predetermined manner when the supplysource is found from the contract-related information stored in thememory to have made the predetermined contract with the manufacturer ordistributor.

[0023] Also, the above object can be attained by providing a commercialtransaction system including: a robotic apparatus manager that manages arobotic apparatus so that the robotic apparatus acts or reacts when itdetects predetermined information; a product distributor that acquiresthe predetermined information under a contact having been made with therobotic apparatus manager, appends it to a product for sale to a user ofthe robotic apparatus; and the robotic apparatus which detects thepredetermined information appended to the product purchased by the userand acts or reacts in a predetermined manner based on the detectedpredetermined information.

[0024] In the above commercial transaction system, the robotic apparatusis managed by the robotic apparatus manager to act or react based on thedetected predetermined information, the predetermined informationacquired under the contract made with the robotic apparatus manager isappended to the product and sold to the user by the product distributor,the robotic apparatus detects the predetermined information appended tothe product purchased by the user and acts or reacts in thepredetermined manner based on the detected information. That is, therobotic apparatus will acts or reacts in the predetermined manner inresponse to the contract-based product on the basis of the predeterminedinformation. On the other hand, the product is purchased by the user forsuch an action or reaction of his or her robotic apparatus.

[0025] Also, the above object can be attained by providing a commercialtransaction method in which a product distributor that sells a productmakes a contract with a robotic apparatus manager that manages a roboticapparatus so that the robotic apparatus acts or reacts based on detectedpredetermined information; the product distributor acquirespredetermined information under the contract and appends it to theproduct for sale to a user; and the robotic apparatus detects thepredetermined information appended to the purchased product and acts orreacts in a predetermined manner on the basis of the detectedpredetermined information.

[0026] By the above commercial transaction method, the robotic apparatusis allowed act or react in the predetermined manner in response to thecontract-based product on the basis of the predetermined information. Onthe other hand, the product is purchased by the user for such an actionor reaction of his or her robotic apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a robotic apparatus composed ofcomponents on which the information service system according to thepresent invention serves information.

[0028]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of therobotic apparatus in FIG. 1.

[0029]FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a softwarefor the robotic apparatus in FIG. 1.

[0030]FIG. 4 shows a probabilistic automaton.

[0031]FIG. 5 shows a state transition table.

[0032]FIG. 6 is a block diagram explaining a contract made between theproduct manufacturer and robot manufacturer.

[0033]FIG. 7 is a flow chart of transactions made among the productmanufacturer, robot manufacturer and user.

[0034]FIG. 8 shows a bar code or a bar code/cyber code appended to aproduct, the bar code or bar code/cyber code being viewed by the robot.

[0035]FIG. 9 shows a bar code or a bar code/cyber code appended to eachof consumable goods such as juice, candy and compact disc, the bar codeor bar code/cyber code being viewed by the robot.

[0036]FIG. 10 shows a bar code or a bar code/cyber code displayed on thescreen of a personal computer display unit, the bar code or barcode/cyber code being viewed by the robot.

[0037]FIG. 11 explains the direct or indirect recognition of a bar codeor a bar code/cyber code appended to a product.

[0038]FIG. 12 is a block diagram of procedures made among the robotmanufacturer, product manufacturer, telephone communication company anduser.

[0039]FIG. 13 is a block diagram of operations including sending of abar code read by the robot to a robot manufacturer's server or hoseserver, and sending a corresponding result of authentication from therobot manufacturer's server or hose server to the robot.

[0040]FIG. 14 is a block diagram of an information communication networkover which data communication can be made between the robot and robotmanufacturer's server.

[0041]FIG. 15 is a flow chart of transactions made between the telephonecommunication company, robot manufacturer and user.

[0042]FIG. 16 shows a bar code/cyber code combination displayed on thedisplay screen of a mobile telephone and being viewed by the robot.

[0043]FIG. 17 explains reading of a bar code/cyber code by a dedicatedreader such as a bar code reader.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0044] The present invention will be further discussed below concerningan embodiment thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings. Theembodiment of the present invention is an autonomous type roboticapparatus which acts autonomously according to an external factor and/orinternal factor. The robotic apparatus according to the presentinvention is constructed as will be explainedbelow.

(1) Construction of the Robotic Apparatus

[0045] (1-1) Construction of the Robotic Apparatus According to thePresent Invention

[0046] As shown in FIG. 1, the robotic apparatus (will be referred tosimply as “robot” hereunder) is generally indicated with a reference 1.The robot 1 includes a body unit 2 having leg units 3A to 3D joined atthe front right and left and rear right and left thereof, and a headunit 4 and tail unit 5 joined at the front and rear ends thereof.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 2, the body unit 2 houses a controller 10 tocontrol the operations of the entire robot 1, a battery 11 to supply apower to the robot 1, an internal sensor unit 14 including a batterysensor 12 and thermo-sensor 13 and others.

[0048] The head unit 4 houses a microphone 15 working as “ears” of therobot 1, a CCD (charge coupled device) camera 16 as “eyes”, a sensor 17,and a speaker 18 as “mouth”, disposed in place, respectively.

[0049] Further, actuators 19 ₁ to 19 _(n) are disposed in joints of theleg units 3A to 3D, articulations between the leg units 3A to 3D andbody unit 2, an articulation between the head unit 4 and body unit 2,and in an articulation between the tail unit 5 and body unit 2,respectively.

[0050] The microphone 15 in the head unit 4 receives a command soundsuch as “Walk!”, “Be prone!” or “Chase the ball!” given as scales to therobot 1 via a sound commander (not shown) from the user to produce asound signal S1, and sends the sound signal S1 to the controller 10.Also, the CCD camera 16 captures the environment surrounding the robot 1to produce an image signal S2, and sends the image signal S2 to thecontroller 10.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 1, the touch sensor 17 is located at the top ofthe head unit 4. It detects a pressure applied thereto by a physicalaction of the user such as “patting”, “hitting” or the like, and sendsthe detected pressure as a pressure detection signal S3 to thecontroller 10.

[0052] The battery sensor 12 in the body unit 2 detects the remainingpotential in the battery 11, and sends the detected potential as abattery potential detection signal S4 to the controller 10. Thethermo-sensor 13 detects the head inside the robot 1 and sends thedetected heat as a heat detection signal S5 to the controller 10.

[0053] Based on the sound signal S1, image signal S2, pressure detectionsignal S3, battery potential detection signal S4 and heat detectionsignal S5 supplied from the microphone 15, CCD camera 16, touch sensor17, battery sensor 12 and thermo-sensor 13, respectively, the controller10 judges in what environment the robot 1 stands, and if the user hasmade any instruction or any action to the robot 1.

[0054] The controller 10 decides how to behave or move based on theresult of judgment and a control program including a variety of controlparameters stored in a memory 10A in advance, and drives, based on theresult of decision, an appropriate one of the actuators 19 ₁ to 19 _(n)to allow the robot 1 to make a behavior or motion by shaking or noddingthe head unit 4, wagging a tail 5A of the tail unit 5 or driving each ofthe leg units 3A to 3D to walk. In the following, a set of behaviors andmotions will be referred to as “action”.

[0055] Also, the controller 10 supplies a predetermined sound signal S6to the speaker 18 as necessary to provide a sound based on the soundsignal S6 to outside and turn on and off an LED (light emitting diode)(not shown) provided at each “eye” position of the robot 1.

[0056] Thus, the robot 1 is adapted to autonomously act based on itsenvironment, control program stored in the memory 10A, etc.

[0057] (1-2) Software Configuration of the Control Program

[0058]FIG. 3 shows the software configuration of the above-mentionedcontrol program used in the robot 1. As shown, the control programincludes a meaning-conversion object 20, emotion/instinct-generationobject 21, action-decision object 22 and an action-generation object 23.

[0059] In the above software configuration, the meaning-conversionobject 20 recognizes external and internal states of the robot 1. Moreparticularly, the meaning-conversion object 20 recognizes the externaland internal states based on results of detection by various sensors.And, the meaning-conversion object 20 supplies the result of recognitionto the emotion/instinct-generation object 21 and action-decision object22.

[0060] The emotion/instinct-generation object 21 generates informationintended for the robot 1 to express its emotion or instinct by anaction. Specifically, the emotion/instinct-generation object 21 decidesthe states of emotion and instinct based on the result of recognitionsupplied from the meaning-conversion object 20 and various otherinformation. And, if the emotion or instinct exceeds a predeterminedlevel, the emotion/instinct-generation object 21 supplies it to theaction-decision object 22.

[0061] The action-decision object 22 decides an action to be done by therobot 1. More particularly, the action-decision object 22 decides a nextdue action of the robot 1 based on the result of recognition suppliedfrom the meaning-conversion object 20 and information supplied from theemotion/instinct-generation object 21. The action-decision object 22informs the action-generation object 23 of the result of decision.

[0062] The action-generation object 23 controls the robot 1 to actuallymake a behavior or motion. Namely, the action-generation object 23controls relevant devices of the robot 1 based on the information(result of decision) supplied from the action-decision object 22 tobehave or act as specified by the information.

[0063] Thus the control program is composed of the above-mentionedplurality of products to control the operation of the robot 1. Each ofthe products will further be described below.

[0064] Based on a sound signal S1, image signal S2, pressure detectionsignal S3, battery potential detection signal S4 or beat detectionsignal S5 from the microphone 15, CCD camera 16, touch sensor 17,battery sensor 12 and thermo-sensor 13, respectively, themeaning-conversion object 20 recognizes predetermined external andinternal states of the robot 1 such as “the robot 1 has been hit”, “therobot 1 has been patted”, “the robot 1 has detected the ball”, “thebattery potential has become lower” or “the internal temperature hasbeen elevated”. Then it supplies the result of recognition to theemotion/instinct-generation object 21 and action-decision object 22.

[0065] Based on the result of recognition supplied from themeaning-conversion object 20, personal information 24 which is one ofthe control parameters stored in the memory 10A, and informationrepresenting an action having been done and supplied from theaction-decision object 22 as will further be described later, theemotion/instinct-generation object 21 decides emotion and instinctlevels of the robot 1. When the emotion and instinct levels exceedpredetermined ones, the emotion/instinct-generation object 21 suppliesthe emotion and instinct levels to the action-decision object 22.

[0066] More particularly, the emotion/instinct-generation object 21 hasan emotion model holding a total of six parameters each representing thestrength of emotions including “joy”, “sadness”, “anger”, “surprise”,“fear” and “aversion”, respectively, and an instinct model holding atotal of four parameters representing the strength of desires for“love”, “search (curiosity)”, “motion” and “eating”, respectively.

[0067] The memory 10A has also stored therein, as the personalinformation 24, data such as one of emotion or desire parameters whichhas to be increased or decreased in value in response to a result ofrecognition from the meaning-conversion object 20 and information fromthe action-decision object 22 noticing that an action has been done andwhich will further be described later and. For example, when thepersonal information 24 is that the robot 1 has been “hit”, the value ofthe “angry” parameter is increased while that of the “joy” parameter isdecreased. When the robot 1 has been “patted”, the value of “joy”parameter is increased while that of the “angry” parameter is decreased.When the robot 1 has made an action, the value of the “desire formotion” parameter and that of the “joy” parameter are both increased.

[0068] In response to a result of recognition supplied from themeaning-conversion object 20, information supplied from theaction-decision object 22, etc., the emotion/instinct-generation object21 periodically updates the value of an appropriate emotion or desireparameter in the emotion or instinct model on the basis of the personalinformation.

[0069] When as a result of updating of each parameter value, the valueof any emotion or desired parameter exceeds a preset value for theemotion or instinct, the emotion/instinct-generation object 21 informsthe action-decision object 22 of the fact.

[0070] The action-decision object 22 decides a next action based on aresult of recognition supplied from the meaning-conversion object 20,information from the emotion/instinct-generation object 21 and an actionmodel 25 which is one of the control parameters stored in the memory10A, and supplies the action-generation object 23 with the result ofdecision.

[0071] Note that in this embodiment of the present invention,theaction-decision object 22 adopts, as a measure for decision of a nextaction, an algorithm called “probabilistic automaton” to stochasticallydecide one of nodes NODE₀, to NODE_(n) shown in FIG. 4 to which atransition is to be made from the node NODE₀ based on transitionprobabilities P₁ to P_(n+1)set for arcs ARC₁ to ARC_(n+1), respectively,which provide connections between the nodes NODE₀ to NODE_(n).

[0072] More specifically, the memory 10A has stored therein, as theaction model 25, a state transition table 26 as shown in FIG. 5 for eachof the nodes NODE₀ to NODEN_(n). The action-decision project 22 isadapted to set a next action according to the state transition table 26.

[0073] That is, in the state transition table 26, input events (resultsof recognition) taken as conditions for transition between the nodesNODE₀ to NODE_(n) are entered in an “Input event name” column in theorder of precedence, and additional conditional data to the transitionconditions are entered in “Data name” and “Data range” columns.

[0074] Therefore, as shown in the state transition table 26 in FIG. 5,it is a condition for a node NODE₁₀₀ to transit to another node thatwhen a result of recognition that “BALL (the robot 1 has detected theball)” is given, “SIZE (ball size)” given together with the result ofrecognition is “0, 1000 (0 to 1000)”. Also, the node NODE₁₀₀ can make atransition to another node when “OBSTACLE (the robot 1 has detected anobstacle)” is given as a result of recognition and “DISTANCE (distancebetween the obstacle and robot 1)” given along with the result ofrecognition is “0, 100 (0 to 100)”.

[0075] Also, the node NODE₁₀₀ can make a transition to another node whenany of the parameters “JOY”, “SURPRISE” and “SADNESS” included in theemotion and desire parameters in the emotion and instinct models in theemotion/instinct-generation object 21 to which the action-decisionobject 22 refers periodically takes a value of “50, 100 (50 to 100)”even with entry of no result of recognition.

[0076] In the state transition table 26, names of the nodes to whicheach of the nodes NODE₀ to NODE_(n) can make a transition are given in a“Transition destination nodes” line covered by a “Probability oftransition to other node (Di)” column, and probabilities of transitionto other nodes NODE₀ to NODE_(n), which would be when all therequirements given in the “Input event name”, “Data name” and “Daterange” columns, respectively, are satisfied are given in an “Outputaction” line covered by the “Probability of transition to other node(Di)” column. Note that the sum of the transition probabilities in theline covered by the “Probability of transition to other node Di” columnis 100 (%).

[0077] Therefore, the node NODE₁₀₀ in the state transition table 26shown in FIG. 5 can make a transition to a node NODE₁₂₀ (node 120) witha transition probability of “30%” when “BALL (the bal has beendetected)” is given as a result of recognition and “SIZE (the size ofthe ball)” given along with the result of recognition is “0, 1000 (0 to1000)”. At this time, the robot 1 will make an action “ACTION 1”.

[0078] The action model 25 is constructed so that many of the nodesNODE₀ to NODE_(n) given in the state transition table 26 are connectedto each other. When a result of recognition is supplied from themeaning-conversion object 20 or when a notice is supplied from theemotion/instinct-generation object 21, the action-decision object 22 isadapted to stochastically decide a next action or motion by using thestate transition table 26 stored in the memory 10A for appropriate onesof the nodes NODE₀ to NODE_(n) and inform the action-generation object23 of the result of decision.

[0079] The action-generation object 23 drives and controls anappropriate one of the actuators 19 ₁ to 19 _(n) as necessary based onthe information from the action-decision object 22 for the robot 1 toact or move as specified, generates an appropriate sound signal S6 (asshown in FIG. 2) based on a corresponding sound data in a sound datafile which is one of the control parameters stored in the memory 10A,and sends it to the speaker 18, or turns on and off the LED at the “eye”position in a corresponding light-emission pattern on the basis of acorresponding light emission data in a light emission data file which isone of the control parameters stored in the memory 10A.

[0080] Thus, the robot 1 can make an autonomous action correspondinglyto its own state and surrounding environment, and a user's instructionand operation made to the robot 1 on the basis of the control program.

[0081] Next, the growth model incorporated in the robot 1 to have thelatter act in each of its growth steps will be described.

[0082] The growth model is to allow the robot 1 to show an “advancedaction” in each higher “growth” step like a real animal on which therobot 1 is modeled.

[0083] Namely, the growth model allows the robot 1 to make an actioncorresponding to each level of growth (degree of growth). Morespecifically, the robot 1 is designed to act in each of four “growthsteps” including “infancy”, “boyhood”, “adolescence” and “adulthood”according to the growth model.

[0084] The growth model includes the above-mentioned action model(action-decision object) for each of the four “growth steps” including“infancy”, “boyhood”, “adolescence” and “adulthood”. A modelcorresponding to each growth step is selected to have the robot 1 actcorrespondingly to its step of growth. For example, a difference betweentwo successive ones of the “growth steps” in the growth model is suchthat an action or motion in a higher growth step is more difficult orcomplicated than in the precedent growth step.

[0085] More specifically, the action model for the “infancy” is suchthat for example “walking” is “toddling” with short steps and “motions”are “simple” ones such as “toddle”, “stand”, “lie” and the like.“Action” is a “monotonous” one such as repetition of a motion, and“sound” is a “low and short” one amplified by a low factor.

[0086] A transition is made from one to another step of growth by alwaysmonitoring and counting occurrence of a plurality of elements (will bereferred to as “growth element” hereunder) associated with apredetermined “growth” such as a predetermined action and motion.

[0087] More particularly, when a sum of cumulative occurrences of eachgrowth element (will be referred to as “total empirical value of growthelement” hereunder) in which the cumulative occurrences (count) of thegrowth element are taken as information indicative of a growth degree ofthe growth element, exceeds a preset threshold, another action model isselected for use, that is, a transition is made from for example the“infancy” action model to the “boyhood” one which higher in growth level(difficulty and complexity of action or motion) than the “infancy”action model, thereby allowing a transition to a next growth step.

[0088] It should be reminded here that the growth elements include forexample input of a command by scale from a sound commander (in a remotecontroller), input of “padding” and “hitting” from the touch sensor 17,intensified learning including a number of successes in a predeterminedaction and motion, input of other than “padding” and “hitting” from thetouch sensor 17, and a predetennined action and motion such as “playingwith a ball”.

[0089] Then, after transition of the growth step from the “infancy”action model, the action model for the “boyhood” is followed to controlthe actuators 19 ₁ to 19 _(n) and sound output from the speaker 18 inorder to increase the rotation speed of each of the actuators 19 ₁ to 19^(n) for a “little more positive” walking, increase the number of“motions” for a “little more advanced and complicate” motion, decide anext “action” with reference to the preceding “action” for an “actionwith a little more definite intention”, and increase the length of“sound” signal and amplify the signal with an increased factor for a“little longer and louder” cry.

[0090] Similarly, each time the total empirical value of the growthelement exceeds each of thresholds preset for the “adolescence” and“adulthood” after transition through the “boyhood”, the action model issequentially changed to the “adolescence” or “adulthood” higher in“growth step” than the “boyhood” and each of these action models isfollowed to gradually increase the rotation speed of the actuators 19 ₁to 19 _(n) and the length and amplification factor of a sound signalsupplied to the speaker 18.

[0091] Following the growth model, the robot 1 “toddling” in its“infancy” can “walk more positively” as the “growth step” rises (namely,the action model transits from the “infancy” to the “boyhood”, from the“boyhood” to the “adolescence”, and from the “adolescence” to“adulthood”), the robot 1 “moving simply” in its “infancy can move in amore advanced and complicated manner”, and the robot 1 acting“monotonously” in its “infancy” can “act with an intention. Also, therobot 1 can generate a “longer and louder” sound as it grows while ithas made a “low and short” sound in its “infancy”.

[0092] Following the growth model, the robot 1 can make an autonomousaction in each of the growth steps correspondingly to its own state andsurrounding environment and user's instruction and action made to therobot 1.

(2) Various Effects of the Robot 1

[0093] Various effects of the aforementioned robot 1 according to thepresent invention will be described herebelow. They can be attainedprimarily in (1) Contract making between a product manufacturer androbot manufacturer and implementation of the contract; and (2) Actionmade by the robot 1 having read a bar code appended to the product underthe contract.

[0094] Information on the attribute of a product includes for example abar code of at least a manufacturer of the product (informationindicative of a supply source of the product), bar code includinginformation which contains a code of a product produced by the productmanufacturer, and so-called cyber code being reaction-generationinformation corresponding to the bar code and intended to allow therobot to react in a predetermined manner. Also, the products areproduced by the product manufacturers, and refer herein to consumablegoods related to clothing, eating and living, for example.

[0095] (2-1) Contact to be Made Between Product and Robot Manufacturers

[0096] As shown in FIG. 6, a contract is made between a robot-accessmanufacturer 201 and a robot manufacturer 202 which produces the robot 1itself concerning a specific product or products produced by the productmanufacturer for use with the robot 1 (in step S1 in FIG. 7). Thecontract covers that the product manufacturer 201 shall append apredetermined bar code or cyber code to a specific product included inthe contract and the robot manufacturer 202 shall provide a robot 1which can act in a predetermined manner when reading the bar code orcyber code appended to the specific product.

[0097] That is, as shown in FIG. 8A, the robot 1 having read a bar codeBC appended by the product manufacturer 201 to its product 100 under thecontact, will act in a predetermined manner, which is assured by therobot manufacturer under the contract. Also, as shown in FIG. 8B, therobot 1 having read a combination of a bar code BC and a cyber code CCappended by the product manufacturer 201 to its product 100 under thecontact, will act in a predetermined manner, which is assured by therobot manufacturer under the contract. In this embodiment, the cybercode CC is composed of a pattern CC₁ and a number CC₂ as shown in FIG.8B.

[0098] Also, when a combination of bar code BC and cyber code CC isappended to the product, a plurality of patterns (a plurality of types)is prepared for the cyber code CC and is appended to products,respectively, of the same type. Thus, each of the products of the sametype has appended thereon a unique combination of bar code BC and cybercode CC.

[0099] Only a bar code BC is appended to a specific product as shown inFIG. 8A in one case, while a combination of bar code BC and cyber codeCC is appended to a specific product as shown in FIG. 8B in anothercase. The reason for this difference will be described later. In theembodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, a combination of bar codeBC and cyber code CC is appended to a product. Note however that thereis possible a case in which only a bar code BC is appended to a product.

[0100] The present invention will be described in detail herebelow.Under the contract, the product manufacturer appends, in step S2, eithera bar code BC or a combination of bar code BC and cyber code CC to aspecific product for sale as shown in FIG. 7.

[0101] In case the product available from the product manufacturer isjuice or candy for example, a combination of bar code BC and cyber codeCC is appended to a canned juice 100 a for sale as shown in FIG. 9A or acombination of bar code BC and cyber code CC is appended to a baggedcandy 100 b for sale as shown in FIG. 9B. According to the coverage ofthe contract, only a bar code BC is appended to such a product.Generally, such food manufacturer produces many foods. However, thecontract may specify that the manufacturer shall append either a barcode BC or a combination of bar code BC and cyber code CC to limitedones of its products as a specific product.

[0102] The specific products are not limited to foods. That is to say,the specific product may be a compact disc (CD). In this case, the CDmanufacturer appends a combination of bar code BC and cyber code CC or abar code BC to a compact disc case 100 c for sale as shown in FIG. 9C.

[0103] Also, the product manufacturer may display a bar code BC or acombination of bar code BC and cyber code CC on a so-called Web pagestarted for itself. For example, on the Web page (home page on the Web),a bar code BC or a combination of bar code BC and cyber code CC isdisplayed correspondingly to a specific product. Thus, the user whoaccesses the Web page by operating a personal communication device(terminal) such as a personal computer, will be able to view the barcode BC and cyber code CC on a screen 111 a of a monitor 111 of his orher personal computer 110 as shown in FIG. 10. Alternatively, only a barcode BC is displayed depending upon the contract coverage.

[0104] On the other hand, the robot manufacturer arranges, under thecontract, the robot 1 in step S3 in FIG. 7 so that when having read thebar code BC or a combination of bar code BC and cyber code CC, it willact in a predetermined manner. This will be described in detail below.

[0105] As having previously been described, the robot 1 is constructedto do a predetermined action according to an external factor and/orinternal factor. In the robot 1, the predetermined action depends uponaction information (action-generation information). Further, the robot 1holds such action information as stored in a removable informationstorage medium. For example, the information storage medium includes amemory card such as “Memory Stick” (trade name of a memory cardavailable from the Sony).

[0106] Thus, for an action in the predetermined manner of the robot 1having read the bar code BC or combination of bar code BC and cyber codeCC, the robot manufacturer stores, into the memory card of the robot 1,such action-generation information as will allow the robot 1 to act inthe predetermined manner when having detected the bar code BC or thecombination of bar code BC and cyber code CC as an external factor, thatis, when having picked up the bar code BC or the combination of bar codeBC and cyber code CC by means of the CCD camera 16 shown in FIG. 2 orthe like.

[0107] The “predetermined action” refers herein to information on anaction pattern the robot 1 will not usually make even when theaforementioned states of emotion, instinct and growth (parameters or thelike) have changed.

[0108] For example, the predetermined action should be a one an animalwill normally make in response to a product having appended thereto abar code BC or a combination of bar code BC and cyber code CC. Moreparticularly, a dog will “lick” milk, and in case the specific productis “milk”, the robot 1 of a dog type should output a “licking” sound,for example. Also, in case a compact disc is given as a specific productto the robot 1, the corresponding predetermined action.of the robot 1should be dancing to a melody stored in the compact disc, for example.

[0109] Note that the action-generation information may not always bestored in a memory card in advance. Alternatively, the robotmanufacturer may make such an arrangement that the robot 1 can acquireaction-generation information from a server which is an informationserver (information management unit) via a radio or cable informationcommunication network, and act in a predetermined manner, based on theinformation, when having read a bar code BC or a combination of bar codeBC and cyber code CC. This will further be described later.

[0110] (2-2) Action of the Robot 1 When Reading a Bar Code Appended to aProduct Under the Contract

[0111] In step S4 in FIG. 7, the user of the robot 1 purchases aspecific product having appended thereto a bar code BC or a combinationof bar code BC and cyber code CC for recognition by and growth (newaction) of the robot 1. The specific product is a canned juice 100 a,bagged candy 100b or compact disc 100 c, for example, as shown in FIGS.9A to 9C. The user shows the robot 1 a bar code BC and cyber code CC onthe product as shown.

[0112] Thus, as shown in FIG. 11A, the robot 1 will recognize directlythe bar code BC and cyber code CC by means of the CCD camera 16 shown inFIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 11B, the robot 1 can recognize the bar code BCand cyber code CC by means of a reader 120. In this case, the bar codeBC and cyber code CC appended to the product will be read by the reader120, and the robot 1 will recognize indirectly the bar code BC and cybercode CC on the basis of scale information or infrared rays sent from thereader 120.

[0113] The robot 1 will recognize the bar code BC or the combination ofbar code BC and cyber code CC as follows. Namely, for this recognition,the robot 1 holds, in a memory or the like provided therein, information(for example, information on a bar code image) on a contract madebetween the robot manufacturer and product manufacturers in a thirdparty, and compares the contract-related information with a bar code BCor a combination of bar code BC and cyber code CC detected by the CCDcamera 16.

[0114] The robot 1 having recognized the bar code BC or the combinationof bar code BC and cyber code CC as covered by the contract, will actaccording to action-generation information prepared based on the barcode BC or the combination of bar code BC and cyber code CC in step S5in FIG. 7.

[0115] Note that in the robot 1 shown in FIG. 2 and having beendescribed in the foregoing, the memory 10A or information storage (notshown) functions as an attribute storage unit to store a bar code BC ora combination of bar code BC and cyber code CC related to the attributeof a product, the CCD camera 16 in FIG. 2 serves as aproduct-information reader to read at least a bar code BC or cyber codeCC appended to a product, and a part of the controller 10 functions tomake a comparison between the information stored in the memory 10A orthe like and the bar code BC or the like read by the CCD camera 16. Whenthere is found a coincidence between the information and bar code BC orthe like as the result of comparison from the part of the controller 10,the robot 1 will act in a predetermined manner. That is to say, therobot 1 is adapted to provide a predetermined action when pre-storedinformation such as a bar code or the like coincides with a bar coderead by the CCD camera 16.

[0116] For instance, when the specific product is milk, the robot 1having recognized the bar code BC or combination of bar code BC andcyber code CC will output a “licking” sound. In case the specificproduct is a compact disc, the robot 1 having read the bar code BC orcombination of bar code BC and cyber code CC will output a melody storedin the compact disc and dance to the melody.

[0117] Note that the robot 1 may be adapted to provide an action havingan raised level of growth when having recognized a bar code BC orcombination of bar code BC and cyber code CC. Although theaforementioned robot 1 is set so as to act correspondingly to each ofgrowth steps in a growth model, it may be adapted to act with the growthstep thereof shifted from “boyhood” to “adolescence” by recognizing abar code BC or a combination of bar code BC and cyber code CC. Thereby,the recognition by the robot 1 of the bar code BC or combination of barcode BC and cyber code CC can be liked to the growth of the robot 1itself.

[0118] Also, the action of the robot 1 may be further complicated onessuch as “trick”, performance”, etc., not any simple one.

[0119] Next, there will be described differences between when only a barcode BC is appended to a product and when a bar code BC and a cyber codeCC are appended in combination to the product.

[0120] In case a contract made between the product manufacturer androbot manufacturer covers only a predetermined bar code BC for aspecific product, the user can only see his or her robot 1 act in asingle manner in the presence of the same product.

[0121] On the other hand, in case a contract made between the productmanufacturer and robot manufacturer covers a combination of a bar codeBC and a cyber code CC for a specific product,-the user will be able tosee his robot 1 act in different manners even with the same product ifthe cyber code CC appended to the product is different from the bar codeBC also on the product. Thus, with the combination of bar code BC andcyber code CC used on the product, the user can see his robot 1 act indifferent manners, which will add to the fun of playing with the robot1.

[0122] Note that if the robot 1 cannot recognize a bar code BC and cybercode CC in combination simultaneously by means of the CCD camera 16, thebar code BC and cyber code CC should be shown separately to the robot 1(CCD camera 16). In this case, the bar code BC and cyber code CC may beshown to the robot 1 in this order, or the cyber code CC may be shown tothe robot 1 before the bar code BC is shown. In any case, the robot 1can recognize the separately entered bar code BC and cyber code CC as aset of information and provide a predetermined action based on actiongeneration information stored in the bar and cyber codes.

[0123] The robot 1 may be adapted to store a number of times it has seena bar code BC or combination of bar code BC and cyber code CC, and notto provide any predetermined action when it has seen a bar code BC orcombination of bar code BC and cyber code CC a predetermined number oftimes. Thereby, the robot 1 will not provide any action when havingrecognized the same bar code BC or the same combination of bar code BCand cyber code CC a predetermined number of times. Thus, to see therobot 1 acting, the user has to purchase a product having appendedthereto another bar code BC or another combination of bar code BC andcyber code CC.

[0124] As in the above, the cyber code CC is formed from a pattern CC₁and a number CC₂. However, a plurality of combinations of a pattern CC₁and a number CC₂ will allow the robot 1 to have a limitlessextensibility of the action.

[0125] Also, actions the robot 1 can provide based on a bar code BC or acombination of bar code BC and cyber code CC appended to a productshould preferably be kept unknown to the user before the product isactually used with his robot 1, which will effectively add to the fun ofplaying with the robot 1 because of the product's unexpectedness.Namely, it is not possible to predict actions of the robot 1 in advanceunless a bar code BC or a combination of bar code BC and cyber code CCon a purchased product is shown to the robot 1, and the actions of therobot 1 can be enjoyed only after the product or the bar code BC orcombination of bar code BC and cyber code is shown to the robot 1.Keeping unknown to the user of the robot actions the product will assurewill add to the fun in playing with the robot 1.

[0126] The robot manufacturer may change or update action-generationinformation corresponding to a bar code BC or a combination of bar codeBC and cyber code CC. For example, the action-generation information maybe updated periodically, whereby the robot 1 will act in differentmanners even in case it is let to recognize the same bar code BC orcombination of bar code BC and cyber code CC.

[0127] Further, such action-generation information thus updated shouldbe stored into a memory card for distribution to the users. Unless theuser purchases the memory card, he is inhibited thereby from enjoyingdifferent actions which could be made by the robot 1 with the same barcode BC or combination of bar code BC and cyber code CC.

[0128] Also, in step S4 in FIG. 7, the user accesses a Web site of aproduct manufacturer where a bar code BC or a combination of bar code BCand cyber code CC is displayed, to display a Web page on the monitor forrecognition by and growth of the robot 1.

[0129] Then, the user will let his robot 1 see the bar code BC and cybercode CC included in the Web page displayed on the screen 111 a of themonitor 111 as shown in FIG. 10.

[0130] In step S5 in FIG. 7, the robot 1 having recognized the bar codeBC or combination of bar code BC and cyber code CC by means of the CCDcamera 16, will act according to action-generation information preparedbased on the bar code BC or combination of bar code BC and cyber codeCC.

[0131] As having been described in the above, the robot 1 can providevarious effects. Also, in step S4 in FIG. 7 and as shown in FIG. 12, aprofit (payment) M2 takes place at the product manufacturer 201 for thesales of a product to a user 200.

[0132] Also, in step S2 in FIG. 7 and as shown in FIG. 12, the robotmanufacturer 202 can receive, from the product manufacturer 201, acontract fee due to the contract made between the product manufacturer201 and robot manufacturer 202, and a commission M1 due to the purchaseby the user 200 of the product for recognition by and growth of hisrobot 1.

[0133] More particularly, the commission is a part of the money for thesold product, paid from the product manufacturer 201 to the robotmanufacturer 202. Also, a fee calculated based on a number of accessesto the Web site is paid from the product manufacturer 201 to the robotmanufacturer 202 for the display of the Web page on the Web site.

[0134] Furthermore, in step S5 in FIG. 7 and as shown in FIG. 12, therobot manufacturer 202 will make a profit for a memory card purchased bythe user 200 for a predetermined action of his robot 1. For example, therobot manufacturer 202 can make a profit by selling a new memory cardhaving stored therein a new way of playing with the robot 1, new actionand function of the robot 1 to the user 200 in a predetermined period oftime after the user purchased his robot 1, while the user 200 can enjoythe actions of his robot 1, responsive to a robot product and based oninformation served from the new memory card.

[0135] Note that the present invention has been described in theforegoing concerning the use of a memory card having action-generationinformation stored therein but it is not limited to the use of anymemory card with the robot 1. The robot manufacturer may arrange therobot 1 to acquire action-generation information from an informationserver via a radio or cable information communication network, and actaccording to the action-generation information when having read a barcode BC or a combination of bar code BC and cyber code CC. This willfurther be described below with reference to FIG. 13.

[0136] As seen from FIG. 13, the robot 1 sends a bar code BC or acombination of bar code BC and cyber code CC to a robot manufacturer'sserver 38 or home server 40.

[0137] The robot manufacturer's server 38 is a server owned by the robotmanufacturer 202, and has stored therein the coverage of a contract therobot manufacturer 202 has made with the product manufacturer 201. Forexample, the server 38 has stored therein as a data base a bar code BCor a combination of bar code BC and cyber code CC and action-generationinformation etc. corresponding to the bar code BC or combination of barcode BC and cyber code CC.

[0138] Based on the information stored as a data base, the robotmanufacturer's server 38 selects action-generation informationcorresponding to a bar code BC or combination of bar code BC and cybercode CC sent from the robot 1, and sends the selected information to therobot 1. That is, the robot manufacturer's server 38 receives a bar codeBC or combination of bar code BC and cyber code CC sent from the robot1, and sends action-generation information to the robot 1 when the barcode BC or combination of bar code BC and cyber code CC falls within thecoverage of the contract.

[0139] For example, data communication between the robot manufacturer'sserver 38 and robot 1 is effected over an information communicationnetwork 20 as shown in FIG. 14.

[0140] In the information communication network 30, there exist personalterminal devices 31A, 31B, 31C and 31D connected to the server 38 byvarious telecommunication lines 32, 33, 34 and 39, respectively. Thepersonal terminal devices 31A to 31D are ordinary personal computersinstalled in ordinary homes, respectively, each of which communicateswith the server 38 via an Internet 36 or an ordinary public network (39?) to send and receive necessary data to and from the server 38, andcommunicates with the robot 1.

[0141] In the information communication network 30, the robot 1 can makedata communication with the server 38 via the personal terminal device31. More specifically, a bar code BC or a combination of bar code BC andcyber code CC is sent from the robot 1 to the robot manufacturer'sserver 38 via the personal terminal device 31, ad action-generationinformation corresponding to the bar code BC or combination of bar codeBC and cyber code CC is sent from the robot manufacturer's server 38 tothe robot 1 via the personal terminal device 31.

[0142] On the other hand, the home server 40 is a home-installedpersonal one, and has stored therein the coverage of a contract therobot manufacturer 202 has made with the product manufacturer 201. Forexample, the home server 40 has stored therein as a data base a tradename of a product, a bar code BC or combination of bar code BC and cybercode CC appended to the product, and action-generation informationcorresponding to the bar code BC or combination of bar code BC and cybercode CC.

[0143] For example, since the coverage of the aforementioned contractmade between the product manufacturer 201 and robot manufacturer 202 isbasically managed by the robot manufacturer's server 38, informationstored in the home server 40 is sent from the robot manufacturer'sserver 38 under a contract made between the robot manufacturer's server38 and user (home server 40).

[0144] Similarly to the robot manufacturer's server 38, the home server40 sends, to the robot 1 on the basis of information registered as sucha data base, action-generation information corresponding to a bar codeBC or combination of bar code BC and cyber code CC sent from the robot1. Namely, the home server 40 receives a bar code BC or combination ofbar code BC and cyber code CC sent from the robot 1, and sends, to therobot 1, action-generation information when the bar code BC orcombination of bar code BC and cyber code CC falls within the coverageof the contract.

[0145] Based on the action-generation information thus sent from therobot manufacturer's sever 38 or home server 40 the robot 1 will act ina predetermined manner in response to a product such as the candy 100 itsees.

[0146] In the aforementioned embodiment of the present invention, therobot 1 provides a predetermined action by data communication with apredetermined server. However, the present invention is not limited tothis arrangement. By way of example, the robot 1 may be adapted toreceive information from a so-called third party in the informationcommunication network and act based on the received information. Morespecifically, the user acquires, into his robots, a bar code etc. asattribute information available from the third party in the informationcommunication network. Thus, the robot 1 compares the acquired bar codewith information such as a bar code stored therein in advance, and actsa predetermined manner when the result of comparison shows a coincidencebetween the bar codes.

[0147] In the foregoing, the embodiment of the present invention hasbeen described in which a bar code BC or combination of bar code BC andcyber code CC is appended to a product or access is made to a Web pageto display a bar code BC or combination of bar code BC and cyber code CCon the monitor screen. However, the present invention is not limited tothis arrangement but a bar code BC or combination of bar code BC andcyber code CC may be displayed on the display screen of a mobiletelephone for example. This will further be described below.

[0148] As shown in FIG. 15, the robot manufacturer makes a contract witha telephone communication company for an image distribution serviceprovided by the latter. The contract covers that the telephonecommunication company shall distribute an image of a predetermined barcode BC or combination of bar code BC and cyber code CC while the robotmanufacturer 202 shall arrange the robot 1 having read the bar code BCor combination of bar code BC and cyber code CC to act in apredetermined manner. For example, in case the robot manufacturer hasmade a contract with the product manufacturer for appendage of a barcode BC or a combination of bar code BC and cyber code CC to a specificproduct as having previously been described, an image of a bar code BCor a combination of bar code BC and cyber code CC is distributed inaddition to an image of the specific product, whereby the robotmanufacturer will be able to have a contract fee from the robot-accessmanufacturer.

[0149] Under the aforementioned contract, the product manufacturerstarts, in step S12, a service of distributing a bar code BC orcombination of bar code BC and cyber code CC to the mobile telephone.

[0150] On the other hand, for an arrangement under the contract to allowthe robot 1 to act in a predetermined manner when having read a bar codeBC or combination of bar code BC and cyber code CC, the robotmanufacturer stores, into the memory card of the robot 1 in step S13,action-generation information destined to allow the robot 1 to act in apredetermined manner when the bar code BC or combination of bar code BCand cyber code CC is detected as an external factor as in the above,that is, when the bar code BC or combination of bar code BC and cybercode CC is picked up by an imaging means such as the CCD camera 16 ofthe robot 1 shown in FIG. 2.

[0151] In step S14, the user of the robot 1 receives an image data of abar code BC or combination of bar code BC and cyber code CC forrecognition by and growth of the robot 1. In step S14 in FIG. 15 and asshown in FIG. 12, the telephone communication company can have acommunication fee plus information fee M4 for the reception by the userof the image data. Also, under the contract, the robot manufacturer willbe able to have an information fee M5 from the telephone communicationcompany.

[0152] As shown in FIG. 16, the robot 1 recognizes directly a bar codeBC and cyber code CC displayed on a display screen 131 of a mobiletelephone 130 by means of the CCD camera 16 in FIG. 2.

[0153] Thus, in step S15 in FIG. 15, the robot 1 having recognized thebar code BC or combination of bar code BC and cyber code CC by means ofthe CCD camera 16 provides a predetermined action according toaction-generation information prepared based on the bar code BC orcombination of bar code BC and cyber code CC.

[0154] As having been described in the foregoing, under a contract madebetween the telephone communication company and robot manufacturer fordistribution of an image data of a bar code BC or combination of barcode BC and cyber code CC, the user will be able to receive, by means ofhis mobile telephone, the image of the bar code BC or combination of barcode BC and cyber code CC and show it to the robot 1, thereby allowingthe robot 1 to act in a predetermined manner according toaction-generation information prepared based on the bar code BC orcombination of bar code BC and cyber code CC.

[0155] Further, in the foregoing, the embodiment of the presentinvention has been described in which a bar code BC or a combination ofbar code BC and cyber code CC is read by the CCD camera 16 which is aninherent part of the robot 1. That is to say, a combination of bar codeBC and cyber code CC (or only a bar code BC) displayed on each ofconsumable goods (consumable goods group A) including the personalcomputer 110, mobile telephone 130, etc. and a one appended to each ofconsumable goods (consumable goods group B) including the canned juice100 a, bagged candy 100 b, CD case 100 c, is read by the CCD camera 16being the “eyes” of the robot 1 as shown in FIG. 17A.

[0156] However, the present invention is not limited to the above, but abar code BC or a combination of bar code BC and cyber code CC may beread by an external dedicated reader. The dedicated reader includes abar code reader 140, imaging device (e.g., external CCD camera) 141,etc. externally connectable to the robot 1 for example as shown in FIG.17B. As an interface provided in the robot 1 for connection of such anexternal reader, there is available a so-called PC (personal computer)card slot. Recently, the PC, card slot has been provided in more andmore robots. For example, the PC card slot, when provided in the robot1, will permit to use a PC card of a communication modem which enablescommunications between a personal computer and other robots.

[0157] As shown in FIG. 17B, the robot 1 can read a bar code BC andcyber code CC (or only a bar code BC) by means of the bar code reader140 or imaging device (for example, external CCD camera) 141 connectedto the robot 1 with the aid of the PC card slot as an interface which isalso usable in any other applications. Thus, the robot 1 can use thededicated bar code reader 140 or imaging device 141, which can be saidto have been technically established as a unit, to read a bar code BCand a cyber code CC with a considerably high accuracy. Also, use of thePC card slot as an interface which is usable in any other applicationsas well, will eliminate the need to provide any new or additionalinterface for connection of an external reader and make it possible toattain a high accuracy of recognition.

1. An automatic apparatus comprising: an attribute storage unit to storeinformation on the attribute of a product; a product-related informationreader to read, from a product, at least one of at least two pieces ofinformation stored on the product and which concern the attribute of thelatter; an information comparator to make a comparison between theinformation stored in the attribute storage unit and information readfrom the product-related information reader; the automatic apparatusbeing arranged to act in a predetermined manner when there is found acoincidence between the information as the result of comparison made inthe information comparator.
 2. The device according to claim 1, whereinthe predetermined action is based on the information read from theproduct-related information reader.
 3. The device according to claim 1,wherein: the information on the attribute of the product includesinformation on at least a supply source of the product andaction-generation information corresponding to information on thesource-related information, the source having made a predeterninedcontract with a manufacturer or distributor of the automatic apparatus;and the predetermined action is based on the action-generationinformation.
 4. The device according to claim 1, being an autonomoustype robotic apparatus which acts autonomously based on an externalfactor and/or internal factor.
 5. A method for generating an action ofan automatic apparatus, the method comprising steps of: reading, from aproduct, at least one of two pieces of information stored on the productand which concern the attribute of the latter; making a comparisonbetween information pre-stored in an attribute storage unit andinformation read in the product-related information reading step; andallowing the automatic apparatus to act in a predetermined manner whenthere is found a coincidence between the information as the result ofcomparison made in the information comparing step.
 6. The methodaccording to claim 5, wherein the automatic apparatus is an autonomoustype robotic apparatus which acts autonomously based on an externalfactor and/or internal factor.
 7. An information server comprising asender to send information on the attribute of a product, cumulativelystored in an attribute storage unit included in an automatic apparatus,to a communication unit also included in the automatic apparatus; theautomatic apparatus comprising: the attribute storage unit to storeinformation on the attribute of a product; a product-related informationreader to read, from a product, at least one of at least two pieces ofinformation stored on the product and which concern the attribute of thelatter; an information comparator to make a comparison betweeninformation stored in the attribute storage unit and information readfrom the product-related information reader; and the communication unitto store information into the attribute storage unit.
 8. The apparatusaccording to claim 7, wherein the information on the attribute of theproduct includes information on at least a supply source of the productand action-generation information corresponding to the source-relatedinformation, the source having made a predetermined contract with amanufacturer or distributor of the automatic apparatus.
 9. The apparatusaccording to claim 7, wherein the automatic apparatus is an autonomoustype robotic apparatus which acts autonomously based on an externalfactor and/or internal factor.
 10. An information serving method inwhich information on the attribute of an product is sent to acommunication unit included in an automatic apparatus; the automaticapparatus comprising: an attribute storage unit to store information onthe attribute of a product; a product-related information reader toread, from a product, at least one of at least two pieces of informationstored on the product and which concern the attribute of the latter; aninformation comparator to make a comparison between information storedin the attribute storage unit and information read from theproduct-related information reader; and the communication unit to storeinformation into the attribute storage unit.
 11. The method according toclaim 10, wherein the automatic apparatus is an autonomous type roboticapparatus which acts autonomously based on an external factor and/orinternal factor.
 12. An information server which reads attributeinformation sent from a communication unit included in an automaticapparatus and sends, to the communication unit, action-generationinformation intended to generate a predetermined action of the automaticapparatus when the read attribute information coincides withpredetermined information; the automatic apparatus comprising: aproduct-related information reader to read, from a product, at least oneof two pieces of information stored on the product and which concern theattribute of the latter; a controller to generate an action; and thecommunication unit to supply the controller with information intended togenerate an action of the automatic apparatus, acquire the attributeinformation read by the product-related information reader and send theacquired attribute information.
 13. The apparatus according to claim 12,wherein the information on the attribute of the product includesinformation on at least a supply source of the product andaction-generation information corresponding to the source-relatedinformation, the source having made a predetermined contract with amanufacturer or distributor of the automatic apparatus.
 14. Theapparatus according to claim 12, wherein the automatic apparatus is anautonomous type robotic apparatus which acts autonomously based on anexternal factor and/or internal factor.
 15. An information servingmethod comprising steps of: reading attribute information sent from acommunication unit included in an automatic apparatus; and sending, tothe communication unit, action-generation information intended togenerate a predetermined action of the automatic apparatus when the readattribute information coincides with predetermined information; theautomatic apparatus comprising: a product-related information reader toread, from a product, at least one of two pieces of information storedon the product and which concern the attribute of the latter; acontroller to generate an action; and the communication unit to supplythe controller with information intended to generate an action of theautomatic apparatus, acquire the attribute information read by theproduct-related information reader and send the acquired attributeinformation.
 16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the automaticapparatus is an autonomous type robotic apparatus which actsautonomously based on an external factor and/or internal factor.
 17. Arobotic apparatus of an autonomous type which acts autonomously based onan external factor and/or an internal factor, the robotic apparatuscomprising: a memory having stored therein information on a contractmade between a manufacturer or distributor of the robotic apparatus anda third party; the robotic apparatus reading information stored on aproduct and which concerns at least a supply source of the product; andthe robotic apparatus generating a predetermined action or reaction whenthe supply source is found from the contract-related information to havemade a predetermined contract with the manufacturer or distributor. 18.A method for generating an action of an autonomous type roboticapparatus which acts autonomously based on an external factor and/orinternal factor, in which: the robotic apparatus has a memory havingstored therein information on a contract made between a manufacturer ordistributor of the robotic apparatus and a third party; the methodcomprising steps of: reading information stored on a product and whichconcerns at least a supply source of the product; and generating apredetermined action or reaction when the supply source is found fromthe contract-related information stored in the memory to have made apredetermined contract with the manufacturer or distributor.
 19. Acommercial transaction system comprising: a robotic apparatus managerthat manages a robotic apparatus so that the robotic apparatus acts orreacts when it detects predetermined information; a product distributorthat acquires the predetermined information under a contact having beenmade with the robotic apparatus manager, appends it to a product forsale to a user of the robotic apparatus; and the robotic apparatus whichdetects the predetermined information appended to the product purchasedby the user and acts or reacts in a predetermined manner based on thedetected predetermined information.
 20. The system according to claim19, wherein the automatic apparatus is an autonomous type roboticapparatus which acts autonomously based on an external factor and/orinternal factor.
 21. The system according to claim 19, wherein: therobotic apparatus manager is a manufacturer or distributor of therobotic apparatus; and the manufacturer or distributor manages therobotic apparatus so that the latter acts or reacts in the predeterminedmanner based on the detected predetermined information acquired and soldunder the contract with the product distributor.
 22. The systemaccording to claim 21, wherein: the robotic apparatus is adapted to actor react based on action information stored in a storage unit providedtherein; the manufacturer or distributor stores, into the storage unit,predetermined-action information according to the contract with theproduct distributor; and the robotic apparatus acts or reacts in thepredetermined manner based on the predetermined action information readfrom the storage unit upon detection of the predetermined informationappended to the product.
 23. The system according to claim 19, wherein:the robotic apparatus has a memory having stored therein information onthe contract made between the manufacturer or distributor and theproduct distributor; and the robotic apparatus reads information storedon the product and including at least information on a supply source ofthe product and acts or reacts when the supply source is found based onthe contract-related information stored in the memory to have made apredetermined contract with the manufacturer or distributor and theproduct distributor.
 24. The system according to claim 19, wherein: thepredetermined information includes at least two pieces of information onthe attribute of a product available from the product distributor; andthe robotic apparatus detects at least one of the two pieces ofinformation appended to the product and acts or reacts in thepredetermined manner based on the detected information.
 25. A commercialtransaction method in which a product distributor that sells a productmakes a contract with a robotic apparatus manager that manages a roboticapparatus so that the robotic apparatus acts or reacts based on detectedpredetermined information; the product distributor acquirespredetermined information under the contract and appends it to theproduct for sale to a user; and the robotic apparatus detects thepredetermined information appended to the purchased product and acts orreacts in a predetermined manner on the basis of the detectedpredetermined information.
 26. The method according to claim 25,wherein: the robotic apparatus manager is a manufacturer or distributorof the robotic apparatus; and the manufacturer or distributor managesthe robotic apparatus so that the latter acts or reacts in thepredetermined manner upon detection of the predetermined informationacquired and sold under the contract with the product distributor, onthe assumption that the robotic apparatus will act or react based on thedetected predetermined information.